Integrated Insurance Solutions Expands with Appel Insurance Advisors Acquisition
Integrated Insurance Solutions has announced the acquisition of Appel Insurance Advisors, enhancing its team with experts in insurance and estate planning. This acquisition aims to bolster the firm's ability to offer complex solutions in life insurance, disability income protection, long-term care, and estate and business planning to financial advisors, registered investment advisors, and independent practices across the country.
The integration will allow Integrated Insurance Solutions, known for its specialization in insurance consulting and advisory services, to expand its offerings in life and disability insurance, annuities, and long-term care solutions. These services are critical components for financial advisors, registered investment advisors, and institutions nationally.
David Appel, the founder of Appel Insurance Advisors, brings over 30 years of experience in assisting business owners and high-net-worth clients with life insurance, executive benefits, disability income, and long-term care planning. His practice is noted for its technical expertise and relationship-focused approach, which aligns well with the existing framework at Integrated Insurance Solutions.
"This acquisition merges complementary strengths to enhance support for advisors and their clients," remarked Peter Kaplan, executive vice president and head of planning and insurance solutions at Integrated Partners. David Appel shared that the acquisition maintains the foundational philosophy of his practice, which emphasizes thoughtful and educational insurance planning in alignment with clients' broader financial strategies.
A report from Cerulli Associates highlights staff shortages as a concern for advisors offering financial planning, pointing toward a growing demand for comprehensive planning advice. By 2027, it's projected that 54% of clients will receive ongoing planning advice, compared to the current 48%.
Within high-net-worth practices surveyed by Cerulli, 29% identify risk management and insurance as a primary service, with another 19% considering it a secondary service. A significant portion, 29%, outsource this component.
The partnership between Integrated Insurance Solutions and Appel Insurance Advisors will cater to Integrated Partners' affiliated advisors and Appel's existing clients. It will also target independent advisors, RIAs, family offices, CPA firms, and attorneys that lack internal insurance planning resources.
Research indicates a significant portion of Americans lack life insurance, with a noted confidence disparity between those with and without coverage. Kaplan emphasizes the importance of advanced expertise and integrated risk management as client needs grow more complex.
This acquisition aligns with a broader trend where wealth management and tech providers integrate advisory workflows, supported by evolving platforms and infrastructures. As the advisory landscape evolves, the demand for cybersecurity and holistic planning also rises, underlining the need for specialists in these areas.